35 | LIAR LIAR |

JACOB BLACK DIDN'T KNOW WHAT TO THINK ANYMORE. The world was targeting him, it had to be the only explanation. Not only did his life suck because the girl he was in love with was in love with someone else, and that someone else just so happened to be his mortal enemy, but now Jacob's presumably dead stepsister was actually alive. Or undead.

"The Cullens have a new vampire with them," Embry announced as he, Sam, and Paul returned from chasing Victoria and a misunderstanding with the Cold Ones.

"Who?" Jacob scoffed, crossing his arms across his bare chest. They were in Sam and Emily's kitchen again, the packs usual meeting and dining place.

"A teenage bloodsucker, dark hair, pale skin, curvy yet slim, didn't get too good a look at her," Paul shrugged as he swiped a fresh chocolate chip cookie from the platter.

Quill snickered, "Right." And the other wolves didn't prod the topic further.

All except Jacob.

Paul's tone was too forced and nonchalant for the subject matter. He abhorred all vampires, especially the Cullens, so brushing off the arrival of a new vampire was automatically suspicious. Not to mention, the description of the new vampire matched all too similarly to the girl Jacob was very much in love with and had disappeared for the last couple of days. He hadn't seen Bella since she got back from saving her bloodsucker.

Jacob's brown eyes narrowed. "What are you hiding?"

"Nothing, Jacob," Paul avoided making eye contact with the younger wolf.

But as shapeshifters and teenage boys, fights were easy to come across, even for a trivial matter such as Paul's refusal to talk more about the new vampire.

"Paul." Jacob growled, his instincts pushing him to uncover what he was hiding until it physically manifested in itself, resulting in two pissed off wolves.

Paul stumbled back with a dark glare directed at Jacob. "Fuck off!"

Jacob started forward, but Sam's arrival interrupted the brewing fight.

"Paul! Jacob!" Sam barked at the two until they backed away from each other. Both boys stepped back sullenly.

Jacob turned to the older shapeshifter with wild eyes. "Is it Bella, Sam? Did they turn her?"

Sam looked around the room full of curious pack members. They all wanted to know why their alpha hadn't decreed the treaty void.

"Rory is no longer missing," was all Sam could say before the kitchen erupted in chaos.

"What do you mean?"

"Rory's a vamp?"

"The Cullens turned her?"

"Where the hell has she been all this time?"

This time Embry spoke up with a bashful grimace. He had known who the new vampire was but had tried to not say anything like Sam had told him and Paul. Paul just had to have a big mouth. "The vampire doctor said someone turned her in Italy and she wanted to join the Cullens again."

"You're shitting me." Jacob scoffed at the information, knowing there was something off about the whole fucked up situation. He knew his stepsister, and honestly, they were closer than Jacob was with his own biological sisters. "Rory would never go back to them—bloodsucker or not—they fucked her over last fall so badly she ran away to Italy."

Paul had once been attracted to the girl, when she was human, he had to admit. Now she was back and undead, he had no interest in her other than the fact he couldn't kill her.

Paul shrugged with a dismissive smirk, "Well it appears she's had a change of heart. And appetite."

Seeing the glimpse of the familiar dark haired, and now fair skinned, teenager that was now a vampire in Paul's thoughts from when he and Embry chased Victoria drove Jacob to investigating the new vampire tinged scent that he couldn't deny belonged to the one and only Rory Reyes or Aden or whatever the hell she went by now. The point was, Jacob was miserable and relieved and angry that another Fork's teenage girl was ensnared in the supernatural mess because of the Cullen family.

He also couldn't believe Bella had kept this news from him.

"I tried," Bella had insisted as he dropped her to her house after stealing her from school. After discovering Rory was a vampire, he needed to make sure Edward hadn't returned from "Jacksonville" with an undead Bella. "You were the one that never called me back, Jake."

"You not only went to Italy to save your bloodsucker, but you found out my stepsister, who both my dad and stepmom are losing sleep over her mysterious disappearance, is in fact a bloodsucker as well, and you didn't think of telling me," Jacob ranted behind the driver's wheel of Bella's truck. "All you cared about was getting back together with Cullen," he sneered meanly.

Bella sighed in frustration. "First of all, I knew her before you did, Jake, and how was I supposed to know she would come back to Forks? She doesn't remember anything and she was with the Volturi—yes, the vampire police slash royalty—so I was trying to wrap my own mind around never seeing her again," she explained crossly. "Now she's back."

"Stella is gonna be so happy," Jacob said quietly. Despite hating what his stepsister was, he couldn't truly hate her. He knew enough to know that whatever happened to her in Italy wasn't a choice. He was pretty sure he could convince the whole pack to let her on their territory, to give ease to his burdened stepmother who just wanted her daughter back.

Bella shook her head. "That's part of the problem. Rory is a newborn. She could kill Stella. And she's not supposed to be alive. Edward said the Volturi only agreed to let her go if she promised to remain another missing person case."

"But it's her mom." Jacob ran his hand through his cropped hair with a frustrated sigh. "This is bullshit."

➖

Memories were a funny thing. They were always somewhere in your mind, floating around like innocent wisps until you desired to recall them, shining a light on the memory for a brief moment. The everyday person didn't need to recall every thought and experience they ever had, rather being reminded of such nuances with a familiar circumstance or coming across a simple object that reminded you of an experience.

Life was made up of memories; so it only made sense that because Aurora was dead—well, undead—she should accept that her human memories were dead as well. Of course that didn't mean she had short-term memory loss like Dory—in fact Aurora recalled every single second of her immortal life. Whatever wisps of her human past she could remember when she first woke from the change, such as recalling Alec's name or her age and where they were, were gone. Her mind was capable of storing her new sharper memories without a problem, but no matter how hard she tried, she couldn't get past the block in her mind.

Aurora didn't know how to act like she wasn't a wolf in sheep's clothing. She had been living with the golden-eyed family for a few days now. She didn't know how neither Edward, Alice or Jasper had caught on yet and she didn't know how to not make herself home.

It was weird for her to act like she had been estranged from the Volturi and now sought safety and refuge in their coven. It was disgusting, but bearable to hunt and drink from animals. It was easy to act like she was terrified of the Volturi because she was, that wasn't a lie, but she wasn't at the same time. Aurora knew majority of the guard and three kings would kill her if they had the chance, but with Alec, and Jane by default, on her side, she was untouchable.

However, Aurora's carefully constructed act was becoming more and more difficult to distinguish from her true self. She had arrived without any expectations to be treated well or protected. She believed the Cullens to be freaks like the other guards and Caius had cajoled about. She was expecting to be greeted with irritating, unrefined, poor excuses of vampires, but she was wrong. They were extraordinarily patient with her, and kind, and worst of all, they had no idea Rory was supposed to fuck them over.

After finding them deep in the forest in the midst of some chase Aurora still didn't know the reason for (and it's not like she could have asked without being overtly obvious of her interest), she had no choice but to awkwardly assimilate herself into the household of the golden eyed vampires who appeared to care for her yet didn't trust her fully. They were smart, but it only made Aurora's mission more difficult. She had to endure their attempts to bridge the gap that her blank memories left.

She could play pretend all she liked, but she was unable to truly enjoy the rehashing of old stories she didn't remember.

Alice was giggling rambunctiously as she retold the tale of catching human Rory and Bella Swan sneaking out of their houses to go to a party at the Newton boy's place, the twist in the story being that the girl's had mistakenly used each other as their alibi for their parents. Bella, curled up in Edward's arms, laughed at the memory endearingly.

Edward and Bella had returned to Forks Sunday night to discover the Cullen's newest house guest. Bella insisted on staying the night at the Cullens at this unexpected development, handing Charlie the lame excuse that their flight had been delayed and she would arrive in Forks Monday morning instead. Charlie, being none the wiser, didn't prod deeper.

Meanwhile, Aurora felt worse and worse sitting at the edge of the white couch next to Alice and Jasper. All eight vampires and one human sat around the pristine living room, sharing stories and getting used to the vampire Aurora, separating her from the human Rory Aden.

Alice, Emmett, and Esme were the Cullens who wholeheartedly accepted Aurora like they hardly noticed she was distinguishably different from her human past. Rosalie and Edward were the ones who gave off the unspoken vibe that they weren't entirely comfortable with her being there.

Rosalie didn't hide the fact she thought Aurora was only a spy for the Volturi, which was admittedly true, but once Aurora had the chance, she would have no choice to fix that otherwise screw the mission. She supposed her mind control ability had to come in handy at some point.

Aurora was careful with her thoughts around Edward, her entire mission depending on her utmost discretion and stealth even if she felt guilty for it. Aurora knew she had to report that Bella Swan was still human, and it didn't bode well on the Cullens that there seemed to be an existing conflict upon the human's change date. It was understandable for Edward's sake with his overprotectiveness over Bella—who like Carlisle and Jasper, were more on the ambivalent side of thoughts for Aurora's presence.

"Rory," Jasper said softly, whilst everyone else's attention laid on Emmett as he told an animated hunting story, a tale thankfully not involving Rory Aden for once, giving her a second to relax. He stared at her with warm honey eyes, "Would you care to accompany me outside?"

Aurora glanced around as the others seemed to pointedly ignore them. "Sure," she said with a brief nod.

It would be the first time she would be alone with the familiar vampire, and while she knew she had no reason to be nervous, her insides were coiling in preparation for the worst as Jasper led the way outside. Instantly, as soon as her anxiety and nervousness made itself known, it eased immediately. Aurora glanced at Jasper with a furrowed brow, for some reason, even though he had given no indication of any gift, she already knew he had done something to ease her emotions.

The spot overlooked the river behind the Cullen home, giving the pair enough privacy to freely talk without risk of anyone else hearing.

Aurora had known this would be inevitable, that Jasper would desire one-on-one time with her. She had been prepared. After all, he once so brazenly claimed she was his mate before the entire Volturi. She watched him closely under the moonlight and there was no question why whoever she was before would fall for Jasper Hale. It was a pity she was not the same girl either of them remembered.

"I'm sorry. I just couldn't take it anymore," Jasper began speaking without warning, a familiar southern twang giving Aurora a reason to purse her lips at the aching familiarity of the slight accent. The golden eyed vampire ran a hand through his wavy, tousled hair as he sighed exasperatedly, "Sitting there, listening to them retell the past as if it would help your circumstances." He shook his head with a laugh of disbelief at his family's attempt to pretend everything was the same as before.

Aurora shrugged, carefully maintaining her nonchalant disposition. "It was nice." That was a neutral enough claim.

He rolled his eyes knowingly, "Your emotions say otherwise."

Aurora stepped back, affronted by the audacity of his statement. "What do you mean by that?"

"Well, primarily you felt sad, a little irritated, and guilty; you're uncomfortable because you can't remember the stories my siblings were telling. You wish you didn't have to continually be reminded of the things you've forgotten," Jasper listed all the emotions she had felt without any deliberation as he stared at her with those intense gold eyes flicked with his own sadness. "You desire to remember your human past, you're scared of being alone—which you never have to be anymore—and you feel utterly confused and conflicted about everything."

Aurora knew she shouldn't have felt so unexpectedly warm that he had noticed her emotions—it was only because of his gift for Christ's sake. She was just used to telling everyone else what to think, say, or feel, she wasn't used to her own feelings being considered for once. She kept her expression cool and collected, never betraying her thoughts even if he could read her feelings.

Jasper sighed, taking a tired step forward, closer to her. "I didn't ask you to come all the way out here to analyze your emotions."

"Why did you then?"

Her voice felt off; forcibly aloof yet slightly trembling for the blond's response.

He looked agonized which with a startling realization, worried Aurora. She had the briefest instinct to reach out and cup his jaw in comfort. She crossed her arms instead.

"I owe you an apology, I have for the past eight months, six days and 14 hours," Jasper said in a crestfallen, hushed voice, his pained eyes baring into hers like he was confessing his sins to God, "Yes, I'm aware you don't remember me or our history together. Yes, I know you are aware of my feelings for you. And no, I don't care about all the other bullshit your anxiety is undoubtably making you think. All that matters is that you know how I feel."

Aurora bit her lip a the furtiveness of his tone. Her mouth parted to dissuade the man from a futile task that was clearing causing him misery. She couldn't help him if she had no idea what he was talking about, but at the same time, she couldn't bring herself to stop him. Perhaps some part of Aurora recognized the reasons for his apology.

"A year ago we were happy together until I ruined it all those months ago in a attempt to protect you. That's all I ever wanted to do—protect you. I caused so much havoc in your life in the few months we were together, I thought leaving would be the best for both of us. I should have been selfish. For the both of us. I'm still paying for that mistake," He looked at her like he couldn't believe she still permitted his close proximity to her. Jasper clearly felt obscenely guilty over whatever happened between them.

Jasper sighed, exhausted of holding himself back when all he wanted to do was hold her. "Leaving you was the worst decision any man has ever made in the history of this world. You don't understand, I get it. In time, I'll tell you all about it and if your memory ever recovers, we'll go on from there, but for right now, I'm saying sorry from the bottom of my heart for breaking all the promises I made to you."

He took a bold step forward until her breath swirled with his. He bent forward and held her face with his hands, "You were the only part of my life that ever made sense and it broke my heart trying to fix the mess I made of yours. I'm a fool to ask you to forgive me for messing up your life, Rory, but I'm a fool for you. I'm sorry for everything."

Aurora closed her eyes as she inhaled sharply. Maybe in another life, another universe where she remembered him, she would close the distance between them and kiss him deeply. But this wasn't that story and she wasn't that girl. She felt terrible to disappoint. She gripped his wrists and pulled his hands away from her face. He swallowed as he stepped back, giving her space.

Her eyes shined with something she couldn't even understand. She found her voice then, her aloofness returning. "You love a girl who I don't know anymore. All I know is that maybe there's a reason why I can't remember you or anything about my past. I'm not the girl you think I am and I can't love you like you want me to. I'm the one who's sorry."

Jasper smiled at her softly, almost pleadingly in the moonlight. "You could love me. You did once."

"How could I? I don't even know myself." She looked away from his piercing stare, instead watching the rushing river run silver.

Jasper exhaled calmly. "I know you, Rory, even if you don't remember me, you're still the angel with a heart of gold I fell in love with, and will always be in love with forever. I'll wait for you until the end of time."

Aurora didn't respond, choosing to stare at the scenery instead. She didn't know how to even fathom a response to that.

Jasper stayed for a long moment before returning to the house, leaving her to contemplate on his words. He hoped they had made some impact. Hopefully she now understood he would fight for her.

He had always been a soldier anyways.

➖

"How sweet."

The sour, bitter voice rang out from the darkness. Emerging from the trees, Jane Volturi glared at Aurora with deep loathing.

"What the fuck are you doing here?" Aurora questioned harshly, glancing at the Cullen house, expecting any of them to come out and catch her speaking to one of the most prolific members of the coven she said she had left. Luckily, Jane was smart enough to know not to approach Aurora until there was no chance for any Cullens to interrupt.

"Checking to make sure the Volturi's precious new jewel is progressing on her mission." Jane rolled her eyes, annoyed with the burden of her task. "Plus if I didn't come, then Alec would, and he isn't exactly levelheaded nowadays because of you. And if he heard Cullen profess his undying love for you, this entire waste of a mission would've been over."

Aurora pursed her lips tightly at the severe blonde's insinuation. "That's ridiculous. Alec isn't..."

"Don't play the fool," Jane interrupted her with a disdained scoff, "You aren't good at it. You have my brother wrapped around your finger and the worst part is that you don't even remember how you did it in the first place."

Aurora seemed to not have any words to speak that night. She said nothing as Jane continued her attack.

"I know you claim to not have any memories, but hopefully you can manage to remember why you're here in the first place." Jane sneered with vicious ruby eyes. "Remember that I only tolerate you for my brother's sake. Remember this is a mission, not an unrequited love story."

This time, it was Aurora's turn to scoff. "You're telling me who to love now?"

"I'm telling you to do your job." Jane glanced towards the alit house full of unsuspecting vampires. "I'm telling you that you are not going to go soft for these yellow-eyed pathetic vampires."

Aurora was fed up from the condescending way Jane spoke to her. She stepped forward with narrowed eyes. "Let me remind you I'm the only one here who can tell someone to do something. So listen and shut the hell up for once before the Cullens hear your bitching."

Jane's mouth snapped shut, against the vampire's control. She glowered at the dark haired vampire, wishing she could crumple the girl to her feet like she wanted to.

"Now you can try to use your gift on me like I know you're dying to by the look in your eyes, but please remember I am on a mission, Jane," she reminded her with an annoyed growl. Aurora pointed to the house, "They would hear my screams and you'd have to explain to our masters why my mission failed before I could finish gaining the coven's entire trust and their secrets. I'm not looking for any love interest, not for the foreseeable future at least, for your information."

Jane struggled as she attempted to go against Aurora's mind control.

Aurora smirked and crossed her arms. "Having trouble speaking? Now go back to wherever the others are and let me finish my mission before you fuck it up with your need to try and be the head bitch in charge again. Get used to having no choice but to listen to my command, Jane."

With that final word, Aurora wordlessly allowed Jane to speak. The two vampires had come to an understanding.

"Fine." Jane snarled before swiftly turning around to disappear down the path she had come from. No doubt she would exact her revenge come a later, less inconvenient date. Jane wasn't one to let others best her.

With the nearness of the river's constant cold breeze affording Jane's visit to be unnoticed, Aurora marched back towards the house. She was more conflicted than ever, ensuring there was no way for Alice to see her future because Aurora had no idea what to choose.

Where did her loyalties truly lie?

Who did she love?

Who was Aurora?